Special Needs Planning Archives

Who Will Take Care of My Special Needs Child When I Am Gone?

Posted on September 25, 2025

As parents, one of our greatest fears is what will happen to our children when we are no longer here to care for them. For parents of children with special needs, this concern often runs even deeper. You want to know that your child will continue to receive the love, support, and...

Ocean waves roll in beneath a glowing, colorful sunset sky.

Wishing you a wonderful end of summer

Posted on August 27, 2024

Dear Clients and Friends PLANNING FOR THE FALL. As we savor the last days of summer and look forward to the cooler days of fall, it's the perfect time to explore the city and enjoy all that the season has to offer. Whether you're planning to catch a

Family chats with elderly woman in wheelchair in a cozy living room

Debunking Guardianship Myths in New York: Protecting Your Loved Ones with Facts

Posted on July 23, 2024

In the realm of elder care, special needs planning and legal decision-making, guardianship is a topic often clouded by misconceptions and misunderstandings. For families navigating the complexities of guardianship in New York, separating fact from fiction is crucial to ensuring the well-being and protection of their loved ones. Here, we'll discuss some...

Child arranging paper cutout family figures on a table

What is a Special Needs Child?

Posted on May 23, 2024

People are frequently asking me - should I do a Supplemental Needs Trust for my child? In order to answer that question, I will need to know more details, of course. DEFINITION: A “special needs child” is a vague classification, so what does it actually mean? A special needs...

"Close-up of a younger person's hand gently holding the wrinkled hand of an elderly person, symbolizing care."

Recognizing and Preventing Elder Abuse

Posted on April 27, 2023

The difference between what you dreamed your retirement years would look like and the reality of those years will be influenced by several factors. Wealth, of course. And health. But equally important…is planning. Specifically, a comprehensive estate plan. Because proper planning will make the most of whatever wealth and health you’ve...

"Mother hugging her daughter, who is in a wheelchair, as they happily look at a laptop in their kitchen."

ABLE Accounts in New York

Posted on February 22, 2023

Many people know that New York City special needs planning attorneys help the parents and guardians of disabled children and adults with various estate planning issues, like establishing guardianships and special needs trusts. But in addition to a comprehensive estate plan, there’s an additional financial tool that many special needs parents aren’t aware...

"Hands cupped protectively around a paper cut-out family on a wooden desk with coffee, glasses, and keys."

Understanding Special Needs Trusts

Posted on January 26, 2023

If you are the parent or grandparent of a minor or adult with special needs, you’ve likely heard people saying you need a special needs trust to protect them. What is a special needs trust? To understand a special needs trust, you first need to understand a trust in general. When people leave money to or...

"A happy mother or caregiver and her teen son, who has a disability and is in a wheelchair, laughing together over a drawing at a table."

Why You Need a Power of Attorney Especially as a Special Needs Parent

Posted on November 29, 2022

A comprehensive estate plan in New York generally includes a Last Will and Testament (commonly known as a “will”), a trust (sometimes), a Living Will, a Health Care Proxy, and a Durable Power of Attorney. What is a Power of Attorney? In a nutshell, a power of attorney (“POA”) is a legal document where the maker...

"A loving mother or caregiver touching foreheads with a smiling boy who has Down syndrome in a colorful classroom."

Accessing Services in New York City for Young Children with Special Needs

Posted on November 9, 2022

What services are available to New York City’s younger special needs children? New York City special needs planning attorneys can help parents of disabled children with legal issues including guardianship, trusts and more. But there are many additional resources available—if only overwhelmed parents knew where to turn for help. Accessing supports and/or services...

"A happy, smiling mother and father embrace their adult son with Down syndrome outdoors."

Is 17A Guardianship Right for Your Special Needs Child?

Posted on September 29, 2022

What happens to parents’ rights when their special needs child turns 18? Reaching the age of majority—eighteen-- is a milestone in New York. That means that all children – – including all those with intellectual or developmental disabilities – – are considered adults with the legal authority to make their own medical, financial and other...